MELBOURNE has included Brooke Patterson for Saturday’s final NAB AFL Women’s home and away match against Fremantle at Casey Fields.
Patterson, who missed Melbourne’s last two matches with a hamstring injury, will start on the interchange bench alongside Emma Humphries, Maddie Boyd, Aliesha Newman, Ainslie Kemp and Deanna Berry.
Pepa Randall, who has yet to debut this season due to injury, has been named as an emergency alongside Jessica Anderson.
Stephanie De Bortoli and Meg Downie remain sidelined.
A win on Saturday will keep Melbourne in contention for the inaugural NAB AFL Women’s Grand Final the following week against the Brisbane Lions, pending the outcome of Sunday’s Collingwood and Adelaide clash at Olympic Park Oval.
Saturday’s match kicks off at 4.35pm AEDT and will be broadcast live nationally on Fox Footy from 4.30pm.
Melbourne AFLW team: round seven
Backs: Jasmine Grierson, Mia-Rae Clifford, Katherine Smith
Half Backs: Daisy Pearce, Laura Duryea, Richelle Cranston
Centres: Harriet Cordner
Half Forwards: Karen Paxman, Alyssa Mifsud, Lily Mithen
Forwards: Sarah Lampard, Shelley Scott, Cat Phillips
Followers: Lauren Pearce, Mel Hickey, Elise O’Dea
Interchange: Emma Humphries, Maddie Boyd, Aliesha Newman, Ainslie Kemp, Brooke Patterson, Deanna Berry
Emergencies: Pepa Randall, Jessica Anderson
Unavailable/injured: Stephanie De Bortoli, Meg Downie